MCMA November Events

 November Events

First Tuesday Book Club Nov.3rd, 2015 Richard Blanco
Reader’s Choice - “Looking for the Gulf Motel” or “Boston Strong”
“Family continues to be a wellspring of inspiration and learning for Blanco. His third book of poetry, Looking for The Gulf Motel, is a genealogy of the heart, exploring how his family’s emotion legacy has shaped—and continues shaping—his perspectives. The collection is presented in three movements, each one chronicling his understanding of a particular facet of life from”....from Goodreads




Boston Strong: The Poem to benefit The One Fund Boston
“Boston Strong is a commemorative chapbook that beautifully reproduces Richard Blanco’s poignant poem presented May 30, 2013 at the benefit concert to help the people most affected by the tragic events that occurred on April 15, 2013 during the Boston Marathon.”. ...from Goodreads
Bring a lunch; dessert and drinks(Tea or Lemonade) provided, 12 Noon at the Mechanics’ Hall Library-519 Congress St, second floor, elevator accessible
All are welcome. Pre-reading of the book not required
FMI call Pat at 773-8396 or e-mail mcma1857@gmail.com Check us out on Facebook 

Nov.6th, First Friday, Doug Bixby-Colored Pencil, “Life in Doodles” is back by Popular demand !!, Another chance to catch the history and humor in daily events with a artistic flair! Friday night-5:00 to 8:00 pm and during library hours in the month of November.
" Doug Bixby recently retired after a 25 year planning and engineering career at Bath Iron Works. For much of that time he kept a daily written and pictorial record of his activities on a desk calendar. Using pencil, pen, colored markers and the occasional collage, each monthly sheet became a unique and humorous diary of events.
"This was my creative outlet over the years while on the phone or waiting for the computer to sort through data."

Travel Presentations-Monday
Nov. 9th “A Mountain called Katahdin”
Selected for Screening at
Environmental Film Festival, National Museum of American History, Washington, DC
Honorable Mention, Rural Route Film Festival, New York, NY The Frugal Environmentalist Festivals
Mountain Festival, Golden CO
Shown on Maine PBS
“I commend this moving film to anyone who loves Maine or nature, and especially to those who love both.”
Senator George J. Mitchell
Five years in the making and 100 minutes in length, Wilderness and Spirit, A Mountain Called Katahdin captures the spirit of Katahdin and the people who have been drawn to Maine’s “Great Mountain”. The film explores ways of thinking about the wilderness and how people from many walks of life, past to the present, have found spiritual solace and strength in this mountain called Katahdin.
This landmark documentary includes first recorded footage of the Katahdin 100 Run of the Penobscot people and the only footage of Earl Shaffer’s historic climb up Katahdin on his 50th anniversary AT Thru Hike. The film brings together the writings of Henry David Thoreau, the paintings of Frederic Church and Marsden Hartley, interviews with Baxter State Park staff, Governor Baxter descendants, Donn Fendler, subject of “Lost on a Mountain in Maine”, the legendary stories, dances and music of the Penobscot people, and the recollections of the residents of Millinocket and the hikers and climbers of Katahdin. Music for the film was composed by Tom Myron. The traditional Penobscot music is performed by the Keepers of the Penobscot Drum.
“Wilderness is a vast time out, a place where we no longer dominate, where we recognize we are part of something larger than ourselves.”

From the film, Roderick Nash, author, Wilderness and the American Mind

Nov.23rd -Hawaii
The presentations will be held at:
CATHERINE McAULEY HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM
631 Stevens Avenue opposite Evergreen Cemetery
Parking Lot off Walton St.
7:00, starting time-Doors open @6:30
Wheelchair accessible
All are welcome and admission is free
FMI-call 773-8396 or mcma1857@gmail.com 

MCMA Events for October

 Sept. 30th, Wed.-City of Portland mayoral Debate

      Between 6-9pm in the MCMA Ballroom will be the mayoral debate. The debate will be presented by member Cliff Gallant and moderated by Herb Adams

Oct.1st, Thursday, Quarterly Member Meeting, 6;00-7:30 pm

Oct.2, First Friday, and October Artist in the library-Bill Bixby-Colored Pencil, “Life in Doodles”

Doug Bixby recently retired after a 25 year planning and engineering career at Bath Iron Works.  For much of that time he kept a daily written and pictorial record of his activities on a desk calendar. Using pencil, pen, colored markers and the occasional collage, each monthly sheet became a unique and humorous diary of events. 

 "This was my creative outlet over the years while on the phone or waiting for the computer to sort through data." 

Oct. 5th,Travel Presentation-Germany-One of Presentations, three of them DVD’s, are scheduled for October and November of 2015 at 7:30 pm. At Catherine McAuley High School Auditorium on Stevens Ave. In Portland. Refreshments will be served during intermission.There is ample on-site parking.

Oct.26th, 2015,     Michael Foley of Westbrook narrates his trip to Russia

Nov.9, 2015          “A Mountain Called Katahdin”

Nov.23, 2015         Hawaii

 Oct.6th,1st Tuesday Book Club

Ha Jin, Reader’s choice between”Waiting” & “A Good Fall”

“A Good Fall”-”In his first book of stories since The Bridegroom was published in 2000 ("Finely wrought . . . Every story here is cut like a stone."—Chicago Sun-Times), National Book Award–winning Ha Jin gives us a collection that delves into the experience of Chinese immigrants in America. 

With the same profound attention to detail that is a hallmark of his previous acclaimed works of fiction, Ha Jin depicts here the full spectrum of immigrant life and the daily struggles—some minute, some grand—faced by these intriguing individuals.” ..........from.GOODREADS

"Waiting”

“The demands of human longing contend with the weight of centuries of custom in acclaimed author Ha Jin's Waiting, a novel of unexpected richness and universal resonance. Every summer Lin Kong, a doctor in the Chinese Army, returns to his village to end his loveless marriage with the humble and touchingly loyal Shuyu”. ....from GOODREADS

                  Bring a lunch; dessert and drinks(Tea or Lemonade) provided, 12 Noon at the

         Mechanics’ Hall Library-519 Congress St, second floor, elevator accessible All are

 welcome. Pre-reading of the book not required

 FMI call Pat at 773-8396 or e-mail  mcma1857@gmail.com

Oct.17th, Saturday, 5:30-7:30, New Member Meet-up

Sept. 29th, Tuesday and Oct.19th MCMA member and Cooper Ed Lutjens-Exhibition of Lutjens’ coopering work and Coopering tools on display, some are made by MCMA member tool makers  from the 1800”s

WHERE: Maine Craft Distilling tasting room, 101 Fox St., Portland

Mechanics' Hall library Sept. Events

September 1st-First Tuesday Bookclub

 James Hayman – “Chill of the Night” 

Author-James Hayman will be attending the book discussion 

 Noon,Tuesday Sep.1, 2015 James Hayman – “Chill of the Night” 

“Fresh off the success of The Cutting, James Hayman brings Detective Michael McCabe back in an even more powerful tale of duplicity, murder, and revenge. 

Glamorous young Portland attorney Lainie Goff thought she had it all—brains, beauty, and a fast- track to a partnership in a top-ranked firm that was going to make her rich. But then one cold winter night she pushed things too far, and her naked frozen body is found in the sub-zero temperatures at the end of the Portland Fish Pier.” from Goodreads 

Bring a lunch; dessert and drinks(Tea or Lemonade) provided, 12 Noon at the Mechanics’ Hall Library-519 Congress St, second floor, elevator accessible 

All are welcome. Pre-reading of the book not required 

FMI call Pat at 773-8396 or e-mail mcma1857@gmail.com Check us out on Facebook 

Sept.4th, First Friday Artwalk and September Artist-Photography

MASON PHILIP SMITH, MCMA member, award winning photographer and author, exhibit will open on the First Friday Artwalk Sept.4th, 5:00-8:00 pm in the Library.Mr. Smith’s photo studio was located in Mechanics’ Hall for 35 years,1964-1999,on the third floor where the ballroom is now reopening.

         "Mason Philip Smith has photographed extensively in Asia and Traces an exhibit of his images from Korea, China, Japan, Vietnam and Thailand was held at the University of Southern Maine, Portland, Maine during the summer of 2005.

     In September of 2007 an large exhibition of his images from Asia & Newfoundland was held at the Hines Museum of Photography in Nova Scotia. Recently, the Hines museum selected 12 of Smith's China images for it's permanent collection.

     He is the author of Confederates Downeast, Confederate Operations In and Around Maine and co-author of Four Short Blasts, The Great Gale of 1898 & The Loss of the Steamer Portland.” from-

http://www.masonphilipsmithphotography.com 

More info can be found at- http://www.boldgamble.net

Also- Portland Daily Sun article by MCMA member Cliff Gallant- http://portlanddailysun.me/index.php/opinion/columns/9902-mason-phillip-smith

The Maine Skeins will meet Tues, Sept.15th and every 3rd Tues at the MCMA library from 5-7 approximately. you may come earlier if you wish. bring a craft-in-progress to work on or just come to talk about a handiwork of any sort. we have started a give away or swap time if you have supplies or books you no longer want. be inspired to finish that old project hidden in the closet or start a new one.

FMI call us at 773-8396 or email mcma1857@gmail.com

Don't forget to check out the Maine Charitable Mechanic Association on Face Book and leave a "Like"

Mechanics' Hall August Events

 August Events in the library

Mechanics’ Hall Library, First Tuesday Book Club

Tuesday’s Book Club meeting is Sponsored by MCMA members, Muriel and Bob McGuire

August 4 The Boys in the Boat by Daniel Brown – Non-Fiction -  Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics

For readers of Laura Hillenbrand's Seabiscuit and Unbroken, the dramatic story of the American rowing team that stunned the world at Hitler's 1936 Berlin Olympics

“Daniel James Brown’s robust book tells the story of the University of Washington’s 1936 eight-oar crew and their epic quest for an Olympic gold medal, a team that transformed the sport and grabbed the attention of millions of Americans. The sons of loggers, shipyard workers, and farmers, the boys defeated elite rivals first from eastern and British universities and finally the German crew rowing for Adolf Hitler in the Olympic games in Berlin, 1936.

The emotional heart of the story lies with one rower, Joe Rantz, a teenager without family or prospects, who rows not for glory, but to regain his shattered self-regard and to find a place he can call home. The crew is assembled  by an enigmatic coach and mentored by a visionary, eccentric British boat builder, but it is their trust in each other that makes them a victorious team. They remind the country of what can be done when everyone quite literally pulls together—a perfect melding of commitment, determination, and optimism..........”Amazon.com

Bring a lunch; dessert and drinks(Tea or Lemonade) provided, 12 Noon

All are welcome. Pre-reading of the book not required

FMI call Pat at 773-8396 or e-mail  mcma1857@gmail.com

August 7, 2015 Mechanics’ Hall Library August Artist, MCMA member Jane Macomber, Photography-”Classic New England”

MCMA February Events

    February Artist in the library is Photographer Jane Macomber, her exhibit “CLASSIC NEW ENGLAND” will open on the February 1st Friday(5:00-8:00pm)Down Town Portland Art Walk in the Mechanics’Library. 

    519 Congress St. second floor, elevator accessible

"Classic New England".

           “I am a native Mainer, having grown up in Castine. I went to school at Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, but did not study photography. I am self taught, having gotten the love from my father who is also self taught, and from my love of life. I have lived in Portland for two years, after having spent fifteen years in Amherst. My photos are a mixture of digital and 35mm. A few were even taken with a phone camera! As long as I can capture things, I am happy!”..JANE MACOMBER

The Maine Skeins will meet Tues, Aug. 18 and every 3rd Tues at the MCMA library from 5-7 approximately. you may come earlier if you wish. bring a craft-in-progress to work on or just come to talk about a handiwork of any sort. we have started a give away or swap time if you have supplies or books you no longer want. be inspired to finish that old project hidden in the closet or start a new one.

FMI call us at 773-8396 or email mcma1857@gmail.com

Don't forget to check out the Maine Charitable Mechanic Association on Face Book and leave a "Like"

July events in the Mechanics’ Hall Library

July Artist and First Friday Art Exhibit on July 3rd

The Maine Veteran’s Home in Scarborough Recycled Art Project is headed to Downtown Portland. The art will be displayed at the Maine Charitable Mechanic’s Hall on July 3^rd as part of the First Friday Art Walk.

Residents at the Scarborough Veteran’s Home have been taking  part in a popular new recycled art program, and the results have been nothing short of stunning!  

The artwork will be for sale, with the proceeds to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter.  The art will be displayed from 5-8pm,Friday and on display for the public in the library during the month of July during Library hours,Tues., Wed. &Thurs.10:00am-3:00pm

519 Congress St.second floor, elevator accessible

FMI-773-8396, or  mcma1857@gmail.com

Mechanics’ Hall Library, First Tuesday Book Club

Tuesday, July 7- Art Forger   by B.A. Shapiro - Fiction

“On March 18, 1990, thirteen works of art today worth over $500 million were stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. It remains the largest unsolved art heist in history, and Claire Roth, a struggling young artist, is about to discover that there’s more to this crime than meets the eye.

Making a living reproducing famous artworks for a popular online retailer and desperate to improve her situation, Claire is lured into a Faustian bargain with Aiden Markel, a powerful gallery owner. She agrees to forge a painting—a Degas masterpiece stolen from the Gardner Museum—in exchange for a one-woman show in his renowned gallery. But when that very same long-missing Degas painting is delivered to Claire’s studio, she begins to suspect that it may itself be a forgery.

Her desperate search for the truth leads Claire into a labyrinth of deceit where secrets hidden since the late nineteenth century may be the only evidence that can now save her life......”goodreads.com

Bring a lunch; dessert and drinks(Tea or Lemonade) provided, 12 Noon

All are welcome. Pre-reading of the book not required

FMI call Pat at 773-8396 or e-mail  mcma1857@gmail.com

Tuesday,July 14 

Quarterly Members' Meeting. The meeting will be at 5PM in the Ballroom and the approval of the Strategic Plan will be on the agenda.

July 16th, Thursday

The Hon. Herb Adams will share the story of the Portland Mayor, Neal Dow and the1855 Rum Riot .

 "In the dark on June 2, 1855 , a thousand roaring protestors

stormed Portland City Hall in Monument Square  to loot liquors Mayor

Neal Dow had locked in the basement.  Mayor Dow ordered the City

Militia to fire on the crowd -- with tragic results.   How could this

happen in peaceful Portland -- the birthplace of Prohibition ?  And

under Neal Dow -- the "Father of Temperance "  ?   Even 160 years

later, this mix of mystery, mobs, the Irish,  politics and Prohibition

makes for new surprises and a remarkable retelling of Portland's

hottest time in the old town --ever.  ".

Bring a lunch dessert and drinks provided tea or lemonade, but no Rum, 12 noon, all are welcome

FMI call Pat at 773-8396 or e-mail  mcma1857@gmail.com

MECHANICS' HALL -JUNE EVENTS

 Mechanics’ Hall Library, First Tuesday Book Club

Tuesday, June 2, 12 NOON Founding Mothers  by Cokie Roberts – Non-Fiction

“From #1 New York Times bestselling author Cokie Roberts comes New York Times bestseller Founding Mothers, an intimate and illuminating look at the fervently patriotic and passionate women whose tireless pursuits on behalf of their families–and their country–proved just as crucial to the forging of a new nation as the rebellion that established it.

While much has been written about the men who signed the Declaration of Independence, battled the British, and framed the Constitution, the wives, mothers, sisters and daughters they left behind have been little noticed by history. #1 New York Times bestselling author Cokie Roberts brings us women who fought the Revolution as valiantly as the men, often defending their very doorsteps. Drawing upon personal correspondence, private journals, and even favoured recipes, Roberts reveals the often surprising stories of these fascinating women, bringing to life the everyday trials and extraordinary triumphs of individuals like Abigail Adams, Mercy Otis Warren, Deborah Read Franklin, Eliza Pinckney, Catherine Littlefield Green, Esther DeBerdt Reed and Martha Washington–proving that without our exemplary women, the new country might have never survived.”....Amazon.com

                       All are welcome. Pre-reading of the book not required

Bring a lunch; dessert and drinks(Tea or Lemonade) provided, 

All are welcome. Pre-reading of the book not required

FMI call Pat at 773-8396 or e-mail  mcma1857@gmail.com

Friday, June 5th, First Friday Artwalk in the Mechanics’ Hall Library

“Visual History of MCMA’s 200 Years”, The Drawing School -131 year history revisited-Architectural drawings of Will.S. Aldrich(ca.1888), who was a student and draughtsman for MCMA past President and renown architect John Calvin Stevens, along with blueprints and instruction samples from the school.also Slideshow of the 1841 Trade Banners, samples from the past Expositions of the 1800’s

5:00 to 8:00 pm

519 Congress St. Downtown Portland Me.

Second floor, elevator accessible ,

FMI call 773-8396 or e-mail at  mcma1857@gmail.com

 Noontime program

Thursday June 11

The Maine Charitable Mechanic Association’s Noontime Lecture Series continues with author Carl Senna on Jun. 11 at Mechanics Hall, 519 Congress St., Portland.   Mr. Senna will be speaking about his book “Never Charged, Never Convicted: my life in the Boston drug trade” by Marvin Clarke with Carl Senna.  This book reveals Marvin Clark’s fascinating life as a Boston drug dealer from 1960 to 1990 and a participant in some of seminal events of the latter 20^th century.  

ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Marvin Clark lived most his life in Boston, where he wrote for local newspapers. He died in 2011.  Carl Senna is the author of several books, as well as a former editorial writer and columnist for the Providence Journal. His articles have appeared in The New York Times, Boston Globe, the Globe and Mail and other newspapers worldwide.  He lives in Maine and New Brunswick, Canada.

Bring your lunch. Drinks & desserts provided, all are welcome

FMI call 773-8396 or e-mail mcma1857@gmail.com also postings on Facebook

Maine Skeins-Tuesday,June 16th

Crafters group meets the 3rd Tuesday each month

June 16th in the MCMA library, 5-7 pm, 519 Congress St, 2nd floor, elevator accessible

Drop in-bring your craft in progress, tea & refreshments available.

FMI- call 773-8396

May Events at Mechanics' Hall

 May,1, First Friday Artwalk, Steve Hrehovcik 

pronounced Hero-check

The Art  and Writing of Steve Hrehovcik
www.KennebunkArtStudio.com

Custom Pen & Ink, Equestrian & Pets, Scenic Views, Caricatures and more

“When you surround yourself with art that touches your heart,you enrich your life in ways that are beyond measure”..S.Hirehovcik

First Tuesday Book Club, May 5th

     The Maine Charitable Mechanic Association’s First Tuesday Book Club will be on May 5, 2015 at 12:00PM in Mechanics Hall, 519 Congress St., Portland.  This month’s selection is the classic “Old Man and the Sea” by Ernest Hemingway.  Published in 1952, this simple and compelling story could not be classified.  It was shorter than a novel and longer than a short story, but at the end you had known a hero, the old man; another hero, the giant fish; the vast presence of the Gulf Stream; and you had lived a great tragedy, but a tragedy which emerges without grief into beauty.  

      Bring a lunch, tea and sweets will be provided.  All are welcome to attend and pre-reading of the book is not necessary.  FMI call Pat, 773-8396 or mcma1857@gmail.com.

May 6, Wed.Noon lecture, author Jan M Eakins, 

“Maine in the Gold Rush”

 “Jan is a cultural historian whose focus is vernacular architecture, urban/suburban/rural/industrial environments, mainers in the American West, and mass media. She was curator of Fairbanks House(c.1641,Dedham, Ma.), led VIP tours and trained guides at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, and initiated the Frank Lloyd Wright World Heritage List nomination and raised funds to conduct it.”from bio of Jan M.Eakins, Portland ME.

May 14, Thurs, Noon Book Talk, Steve Pinkham-” Old Tales of the Maine Woods”

http://oldtalesofthemainewoods.com

“From his phenomenal collection of over 25,000 articles and stories of the Maine Woods, Steve Pinkham has selected more of the most exciting old hunting and fishing tales, as well as stories of animal encounters, lumbering, canoe trips and tall tales for this sequel to Old Tales of the Maine Woods.  Ranging from 1845 to 1905, this book also covers the Maine Woods from Magalloway to Moosehead and Mopang to Madawaska.  Most people know that Thoreau went to Maine several times, wrote eloquently about his travels and coined the phrase “Maine Woods.”  Now for the reader will get to read more stories by many more known and unknown men and women who also travelled to northern Maine and wrote about their experiences of penned fictional stories set in the backwoods.  Included are brief biographies and portraits of the known writers.  For the unknown authors, Pinkham has included appropriate pictures.  In his first volume, Pinkham included histories of each region; for this volume he has included many early bits of fascinating information for each chapter.”

From Steve Pinkam’s web site